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With just five days left until the Louvre Abu Dhabi opens its doors, we’ve decided to compile a shortlist as to why we’re excited to visit the already iconic landmark that has been 10 years in the making…

The grand opening

To commemorate its debut, which takes place on Saturday, November 11, the organisers are flying in a string of international talent. French singer Matthieu Chedid, Malian performer Fatoumata Diawara and Lebanese jazz musician Ibrahim Maalouf as well as dancer and singer Toto La Momposina are just a few acts on the bill.

Aside from international acts, the French President Emmanuel Macron will also be attending – the visit will be his first to the region since taking office in May.

The art work

It will be home to a number of alluded art works from leading French institutions such as the Louvre Museum, the Musée d’Orsay and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

Some of the loans will include Vincent van Gogh’s self-portrait, Monet’s La Gare Saint-Lazare and Leonardo da Vinci’s La Belle Ferronniére – the piece will be the first painting by da Vinci to be exhibited in the Middle East.

Roughly five percent of the museum will be dedicated to contemporary and modern art.

The main focus of the museum, however, is on world history and religions.

The museum

The Louvre Abu Dhabi’s design was inspired by the UAE’s rich architecture and tradition.

The museum consists of 55 detached buildings, 23 of which will be used to house galleries

The building was designed by Pritzker Prize winning architect Jean Nouvel. Its unique design has already earned international recognition and critical acclaim, The Times of London named it as one of the 10 buildings to get excited about this year.

The total weight of the museum’s dome is 7,500 tones, the same as the Eiffel Tower.